Kristi Papailler, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts, joins with four CSUSB theatre alumni in this year’s Midsummer Shakespeare Festival in the Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College. They are all involved with Ophelia’s Jump Productions (OJP), which has two shows in the festival this July.

Papailler will be playing Sebastian in a Cuban adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” or, for this production, “La Tempestad.” CSUSB alumni involved with the show include Stephan Diaz (Ferdinand), Beatrice Casagrán (OJP’s artistic director, production adapter and director) and Cassidy Tyska (Midsummer Shakespeare Festival’s production manager).

The other OJP production, Francis Beaumont’s “The Knight of the Burning Pestle,” is directed by CSUSB alum Caitlin Lopez.

“Working with Ophelia's Jump Productions, Beatrice and in the company of former students is a wonderful actualization of the Coyote presence in the professional theatre arena,” said Papailler. “The show is wonderfully directed, performed and produced, a ton of fun and I can't wait for members of the CSUSB and community at large to see it!”

Papailler wears several hats in CSUSB’s theatre department. She is not only an assistant professor for acting and directing, but she serves as a faculty fellow for CSUSB’s Extended Reality for Learning, or XReal, Lab. She has pioneered training theatre students in the field of motion capture and is expanding the opportunities for learning new techniques and media at the university.

With a bachelor of arts in humanities with interdisciplinary studies in English literature and theatre, plus a minor in African American theatre, and then a master of fine arts in performance and a graduate certificate in African American theatre, Papailler has also practiced Tai Chi and Qui Gong for 15 years. She has additionally trained with Siti Company of New York in Suzuki and ViewPoints; LaMama Umbria, Italy in directing; and Stella Adler’s The Black Arts Institute in Brooklyn. 

Please visit the Ophelia’s Jump Midsummer Shakespeare Festival website for their two shows.  Doors open at 6 p.m. for picnicking. From 7-7:45 p.m., audiences are treated to the “Green Show,” performed by local musicians, improvisors, singers and dancers. The plays begin at 8 p.m.

Performance dates for “La Tempestad” are July 12, 14, 18 and 20.

Performance dates for “The Night of the Burning Pestle” are July 11, 13, 19 and 21.

General admission is $40, and children under 10 or college/high school students with an ID are $25. You can purchase a Festival Pass for $70 for both shows, which includes a free $8 stadium chair rental for the show.

For information on CSUSB’s Department of Theatre Arts, visit their website.